Red. That’s all I could see and it wasn’t because of the sky. Which isn’t quite red and not quite purple but more of a weird magenta, which I’m assuming in this world means it’s the crack of dawn.

He just doesn’t listen. Or maybe he does listen and doesn’t care. Either way I’m stuck in this stupid shed alone while he is who knows where and I’ve been pacing this shed for the last hour while thinking of all the things I could yell at him about.

Imagine my surprise when I roll over onto Aether’s stupid pack and nearly poke myself in the eye with a #2 pencil, not entirely sure why it was necessary to have pencils with him in the first place, and wake up to find him gone. I’d sat up rubbing my eyes and turned to where Aether was supposed to be to yell at him about leaving his pack where I’d roll onto it but when I opened my eyes…he wasn’t there.

I mean how dare he disappear like a thief in the night like that. That has to be the stupidest thing he has ever done and trust me, I’ve been putting up with this guy for a year now, he’s done a lot of stupid stuff. Like when he gave me a cactus for Valentine ’s Day, yes a cactus. Not that I would’ve objected to some chocolate or maybe even some flowers, I’m a girl, sue me, but he gives me a potted cactus. I’m [pretty certain it was a subtle remark on my prickly personality, but then again he could’ve given me a bunch of mushrooms, so maybe I got off easy. And yes I still have the stupid cactus, my mom won’t let me throw it away.

Or there was the time he brought a stray cat to school. Even he had a hard time talking himself out of that one, apparently he wanted to take it to the shelter but hadn’t had the time before school started. And that cat wasn’t the first he carried into school, if it wasn’t for his grades he probably would’ve been expelled for bringing the bird to school.

When the realization fully hits that Aether is nowhere to be found…and yes I’m not ashamed to admit that I checked the bathroom we found in this old fashioned creepy witches shed. I mean it’s pretty much just a pot behind some curtains, we probably could’ve made it ourselves if we had to.

Really though, my first clue should’ve been the door swinging on it’s hinges. I peek out half expecting him to be swinging all Tarzan style outside…but he’s not there. I slam the door shut and spin around glaring at the potions and stones.

“Aether this isn’t funny!” Of course there’s no response because he went AWOL in the night. Of course he did, despite his promise that he would wait until morning. That little…although the fact that he left his pack behind has me paranoid. I mean who’s stupid enough to go exploring without supplies…and before you say anything yes I know I call Aether stupid a lot but I know he isn’t that kind of stupid. More like he just doesn’t have normal people skills. I clutch the pack to me like it’s a life preserver and huddle in the corner of the shed trying to think this through rationally while not letting my anger get…forget it I’m totally pissed. I bet Mr. Affliction totally ditched me. I start calling him all sorts of names and plotting the ways I’m going to strangle him when he returns, but soon the blind fury gives way to fear.

What if he doesn’t come back…what if I’m stuck here all alone, worse yet what if I die here.

The thought is enough to stop me in my tracks. And I start listing the reasons he left me. What if he got tired of me bossing him around and decided he would be better on his own? Or worse, what if he found a way home and I’m stuck here? But Aether wouldn’t do that to me…would he?

Maybe in his excitement he got himself hurt and he is stuck somewhere. Just thinking of all the possible explanations for his disappearance makes my eyes sting with unshed tears and my heartbeat faster. I swear if he’s dead I’m never forgiving him.

The feeling of defeat is so overwhelming that I’m feeling as if I’m drowning in it. My head keeps swarming with thoughts of being alone here and it’s enough to bring me to my knees or since I’m still sitting down to make me slump back against the wall. I think I’m truly realizing the gravity of the situation that we’re in and it’s terrifying. Just thinking of Aether alone and scared out there breaks my heart…Then again, knowing him he’s probably alone and so excited he’s forgotten to be terrified...

Maybe he’s just stuck out there waiting for me to find him. No way. If he got himself trapped then that’s his fault but…darn it…I need to find him because I refuse to be stuck in some alternate universe by myself.

Aether if you aren’t already dead. I’m going to kill you!